Issue Brief o “New Africa-Europe Alliance to Counter China”

On September 12, 2018, while delivering his State of the Union Address 2018, President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Junker announced a new ‘Africa-Europe Alliance for Sustainable Investment and Jobs’ to deepen EU’s economic and trade relationship with Africa. He stated, “What happens in Africa matters for Europe, and what happens in Europe matters for Africa. Our partnership is an investment in our shared future. It is a partnership of equals in which we support each other, help each other to prosper and make the world a safer, more stable and more sustainable place to live.”[1]

Europe is now adopting the Chinese approach by enhancing partnership with Africa through investment and job creation rather than focusing solely on aid.